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It’s June, which for the Minxters means it’s time to pull on our outdoor wheels and take over the parks of York. It also means we’re preparing to take part in York Pride for the first time (June 9 at the Knavesmire!). The LGBTQ community has always been at the heart of roller derby, worldwide and in York. People of any and all genders and sexualities have found a home whizzing round the track – a place to be ourselves, and a family of teammates who support us for who we are.

Part of this is in the nature of the sport: there is no ‘ideal’ player, and a team needs a whole bunch of different people – jammers, blockers, referees, non-skating officials – working together. In derby, what makes you different makes you an asset to the team. The only demand is that everyone works together seamlessly, and that we have total trust in our teammates. What is more, derby has historically been one of the only female-led sports, meaning that a feminist ethos is always present, even though nowadays the gender policy is more inclusive.

At York, all genders train together, though we do have a safe-space provision, with separate contact training and gameplay for female- and non-binary identified skaters, as well as an all-gender option. When competing in the British Championships, we play under WFTDA gender rules, meaning that female- and non-binary identified skaters can compete for the Minxters, but skaters of any gender can play with us in house and regionally – the Minxters are dedicated to supporting all players in developing their derby skills.

But it is much more than just the mechanics of the game that makes derby so important to its LGBTQ skaters. To celebrate Pride, we’ve asked a few Minxters about their experiences of skating and what derby means to them…

Booty #115How long have you been skating with the Minxters? I've been skating for three and a half years, and with the Minxters for one and a half years.

What made you first want to play?I was just coming out of a dark place in my life and I was looking for a way to make friends and get active.

What does roller derby mean to you?Roller Derby is the first non-queer specific space I've been a part of where it's basically the norm to be queer. I never even had to question whether I would be accepted or if I felt safe coming out. It's amazing to be part of a group that puts accepting people of all sexual orientations and gender identities at the heart of what they do, despite not being a political organisation in nature.

Skate Butch #15How long have you been skating with the Minxters?Since September 2017 – so I’m still pretty much Bambi on ice when I’m on skates!

What made you first want to play derby?I’d moved to York a few months before, and didn’t have many friends in the city. I happened to see that there was a new intake, and loved it. Also I’d wanted to play derby, like many others, since seeing how badass the players in Whip It were (and also thinking that Alia Shawkat should have been Ellen Page’s love interest, but that’s another story…).

What does roller derby mean to you?Derby is a chance to step outside the everyday world for a few hours a week. Putting on our padding and special shoes, stepping into a punningly-named alter ego to do things we never thought we’d be able to do in our normal lives – the only difference between a derby player and a drag queen is the wheels.I’ve done a few sports in my time, but there’s been none where I’ve felt so un-self-conscious as when skating with the Minxters. Being able to take pride in what your body can do just as it is, is an amazing thing for anyone, but particularly in a world that has on some level always said there’s something wrong with you. Roller derby, with its unique blend of teamwork and fierceness (in both senses of the word) is a world away from that.

Roller Luxemburg #91How long have you been skating with the Minxters?I started as a freshie last summer - about 10 months now? I can't believe how quickly it's gone! Still not passed my minimum skills though... but who cares, it's been the absolute best.

What made you first want to play? I went to watch Kent Roller Girls play when I was a student and spent the whole time jumping up and down yelling and punching the air – I had no idea what was going on, mind, but I knew it was brilliant. I always hated team sports because the environment can be so macho and I wasn't ‘athletic,’ but derby was different. There were so many people you'd never expect to see in a sports hall!

What does roller derby mean to you? I think it means safety and community. Especially in such a small-c conservative, overwhelmingly het place like York. It took me a few weeks to totally relax but I quickly realised not only that nobody in the Minxters (and the derby community) cares if I'm queer, but that they're actively there for you as an LGBTQ skater. That felt huge - there are so few places where you can really let go of all that internalised shame and homophobia that we drag around with us as queer people, just be yourself and enjoy what you're doing.

You can meet the York Minxters, have a chat and find out a bit more about roller derby at York Pride 2018, on 9 June from 11.30 am at the Knavesmire. We look forward to seeing you there!